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  KARATHANOS Thanasis

  Oenologist Greece

Thanos Karathanos was born in Karditsa and comes from a family with a long tradition in viticulture. He studied Chemistry and Oenology at the University of Athens and continued with postgraduate studies in Quality Management. His doctoral thesis at the Agricultural University of Athens focuses on the ageing of distilled spirits.

He worked at the Food Packaging Laboratory of Rutgers University (N.J., USA), at the Wine Institute of Athens, and as an executive and consultant to wineries, distilleries, restaurants and hotels on matters related to wine, spirits, and gastronomy. His work covers production, quality and sensory analysis of wines and spirits, as well as their marketing, education, and communication.

He teaches Oenology and Spirits, as well as Sensory Analysis of Food and Beverages, at the Department of Food Science of the University of Thessaly and in postgraduate oenology programs.

He is a judge at international wine and spirits competitions, participates in scientific committees of the OIV, and represents Greece in international organizations as President of the Union of Greek Oenologists. He regularly writes articles on wine and spirits, including the History of Greek Wine, prepared on behalf of the Greek Interprofessional Organization of Vine and Wine (EDOAO). He is a member of the National Wine Tourism Committee and of the Board of ENOATHE (“Wines and Spirits of Thessaly”).

As a producer, he cultivates organic vineyards and is the creator of the “Hilia Klimata” wines and of the oldest brand of aged tsipouro, “PÚRO”. “PÚRO KARATHANOS – Artisan Spirits” is the first micro distillery in Greece and the first to introduce Greek single barrel, cask strength, and spirits aged for more than ten years.

His scientific and professional work has been presented in numerous articles and tv programs, including an extensive feature in the German magazine DER SPIEGEL, where it is highlighted as an example of the promotion and international recognition of Greek wine and spirits production.